Whether you've switched to OS X but still occasionally need Windows, you want to play Windows-only games, or whatever, Mac users have several strong options for running Windows. Gizmodo breaks down how to choose the right tool for the job.

The post examines three popular virtualization tools for the job: VMware Fusion, Parallels, and VirtualBox (the last is the only free option), discussing different Windows-on-Mac scenarios and highlighting which tool is probably best to satisfy those needs. For example:

If You...
• Want to run Windows 7 within OS X, and basically nothing else?
• Want to run Windows apps as if they're part of OS X, visually and behaviorally?
• Think a virtual machine should integrate into OS X almost completely, rather than live inside its own window?
• Want to play 3D games in your virtual machine?Then You Should Use…Parallels 5!

The helpful guide details the reasoning behind each recommendation. If you've been interested in running Windows on your Mac but have had trouble figuring out which tool would best fit your needs, Gizmodo's helpful guide is a great resource.